Leakin Radiator

G

glen

Member
Help please, my radiator for my P6 V8S has a slight leak. I do not have power steering. Do I replace it or have it repaired. I live near Heathrow airport. What should I do? Buy new uprated from Winns or another supplier, buy second-hand/ or have it re-cored? Money is a tad tight at the moment is there anything I could do as a temporary measure such as Rad -Weld or other product? Can anyone recommend a local supplier or repairer?

Regards

Glen :?:
 
Hi Glen .
I can't help with a local supplier , but i'm sure a google search will turn up a local old school rad shop . They could either repair it , or sweat the end tanks off and re core it . If your going down that route you just as well have it done with an uprated 3 core one . you'd have to compare prices with the usual suspects , but i guess it'd work out cheaper local taking into account postage etc .
For a temp fix you could try rad weld or one of the others , opinion will be divided here . It can cause problems blocking heater matrixes etc ,, but you can always flush it through when finances permit and have the rad done properly then . Some people just put it in the system any way , so it's there if a problem arises .
:D
 
I've had some success K-seal in the Rover and the viva 2.3. Radweld is rubbish.
My re-core / recon was £100 and the end tanks were in a right state. This was at PMA in Leicester. Don't know if they have other branches.
 
Hi, the proper or long term solution is a recore and as suggested a 3 row core would be prudent.
However if you want a quick or temporary repair :wink: Try Araldite, I have used this a number
of times when there is local damage from a slipped screwdriver and even once when a fan blade
broke off and hit the rad on the way out. The trick to this method is to heat the damaged area
with a space heater, heatgun or even a hairdryer, mix the Araldite and lay it on the damaged area,
continue to heat the area which helps the Araldite flow around and into the hole in the core and to
help cure it. I have had repairs last a few years which is enough so that you can save up for that
recore,

Colin
 
I've used plastic padding leak seal with some success.The secret is to get the area clean,dry and warm. It isn't really a permanent repair as vibration eventually seems to make it lose its grip. I have also sealed quite large holes temporarily with steel wool pushed in them and then a rad sealer.
 
The viva blew its coolant out of a hole in the rad and all over the windscreen once which was awkward at 60. I only put k-seal in it and it sealed and lasted another 4 years!
 
Guildford Radiators isn't that far from you, in Cranleigh for when you do need a refurb.
They did my high flow 2 row a few years ago for I think £50. That might have had trade discount I can't remember, it was done through someone else..
Jim
 
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